Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

Location: England (national, flexible/hybrid in England). Travel and occasional overnight stays may be required. Some components of the role may require presence at an EA Office base location.

Overview

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. This role sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, and supports the reform of agricultural policy and spending under Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. The post involves influencing the design and delivery of incentives and contributing to the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) products for the Farming and Countryside Programme. You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, and identify risks and resource requirements, working with senior leaders across teams and organisations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and contribute to the continuous improvement of scheme design and delivery.
• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones.
• Identify future risks and resource requirements; work across teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.
• Engage with Defra, delivery bodies, and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve organisational collaboration.

Experience / Skills Required

• Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies is essential.
• Politically aware with excellent communication and networking skills.
• Understanding of environmental sensitivities associated with significant agriculture sector reform.
• Experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose effective risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work, and act as a self-starter who actively develops and takes ideas forward.

Ideal Candidate Capabilities

• Get things done, including through others
• Embodies our culture
• Ensures information is trusted and cascaded appropriately
• Builds relationships quickly
• Soothes troubled waters

Additional Information

You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. Appropriate training will be given. This is a national role; working location is flexible/hybrid in England. Some travel is required. The accompanying Candidate/Additional Information Pack provides further details. For more information please contact:

• Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
• D‑J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are blind assessed based on competency questions. Interviews are expected via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, details may be kept for 6 months for potential offers of alternative posts.

Competencies

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery — informs and influences policy and scheme design; provide examples of strategic support and resource prioritisation.
• Achieves Results — prioritises and organises tasks amid uncertainty.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners — responds rapidly and effectively to customer needs; engages and manages expectations.
• Delivers Results Through Others — harnesses teams to deliver on time and to standard.
• Seeing the Big Picture — understands and responds to changing directions and the broader EA agenda.

EEO and flexible working: We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability meeting minimum criteria. The EA is a Non-Departmental Public Body and will not be a Crown Servant if appointed. If you are currently in local government or other listed bodies, you may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes. For questions about status, contact your HR team.